Oil Change While Traveling

wmoses wrote:

jspence1 wrote:
I have a Fumoto installed it makes changing the 15 quarts of oil a lot easier. I considered changing it on the road but would have to deal with the used oil.

The local Walmart near to where I live takes used oil, as does the AutoZone. If all of this is too onerous then as others have suggested the quick lube shops like Jiffy Lube do an acceptable job since they change the oil when hot (so you get a complete drain) and they have more experience than the little apprentice at a generalist shop. With the oil drain value installed the job is even easier for the person doing the change.

I'm sorry but pulling the plug for a couple minutes is NOT giving you a complete drain! I let mine sit overnight if possible and a minimum os 2 hours before I install the plug.

No way will I trust my vehicles to any of those shops.

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll put the mobil 1 in and run it. If I start approaching 7K I'll address it then.

I change the oil in my 7.3 near every 4k. I am heavy often, idle often, and cold start and drive often without proper warm up. But, I wouldn't worry about one 6k trip I might if u get up to 9k like you aaid may happen. I use rotella.

jspence1 wrote:
I have a Fumoto installed it makes changing the 15 quarts of oil a lot easier. I considered changing it on the road but would have to deal with the used oil.

The local Walmart near to where I live takes used oil, as does the AutoZone. If all of this is too onerous then as others have suggested the quick lube shops like Jiffy Lube do an acceptable job since they change the oil when hot (so you get a complete drain) and they have more experience than the little apprentice at a generalist shop. With the oil drain value installed the job is even easier for the person doing the change.

Speedco. Great job. Quick service, reasonable prices.

The prairies will be relatively easy on your truck. If you're going on Hwy. # 1...the Trans-Canada...Manitoba, Saskatchewan, much of Alberta are fairly flat.

Put in a good synthetic oil and extended drain oil filter and then change it when you get home. 7500 lb. trailer is childs play for that 7.3 even in the mountains.

I went 6000 a few times with my old 6.5td. Did over 12K with my dmax......

One time I did 4500-5000 IIRC aroun 9/1-15/01, including 450 on the imfamous 9-11 date!

I'd go the whole way with out changing! Change a few days or so before, then change with in a week or so of returning. Freeway miles are about as easy of miles as one can get, towing or not!

Marty

Yep, I understand, but you're not pulling 20,000 lbs at 70 MPH over dirt roads and up and down 10% grades. I definitely wouldn't make it a standard practice, but as a one time occurrence I wouldn't have an issue doing it. We used to use a 2001 Ford 3/4T to pull 21,000 lbs of hogs in a Gooseneck up and down PA farm roads. THAT I'd consider tough duty if I did it daily, except that we only did it once a month. As I said, I wouldn't be concerned, but your only other option is to change it yourself. Bring a few empty 2 1/2 gal bottles and a drain pan if you don't want to let Joe Anybody do it for you.

pigman1 wrote:
I really wouldn't worry about it. The change interval is predicated on the very worst conditions possible during their prescribed interval pulling the heaviest load on the worst roads with the worst grades. Drive gently and change it when you get home. We go 20,000 on a Cummins ISL and I test at each change. According to the testing, I could go considerably longer, and although you don't specify the make/model/year, 3000 miles between changes is quite short on today's modern engines.

I'm driving an 2001 Ford with the 7.3L diesel. I've only had it just over a year, it's my first diesel. I've read the high pressure oil pump is really hard on the oil. I'll be towing a trailer with a GVWR of 7500lbs. I will be towing through the rocky mountains on the trip, but also across the prairies.